Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Public hearing on allowing breweries, distilleries in Rockville set for Sept. 11

The Mayor and Council will hold a public hearing on a proposed zoning change that would allow breweries and distilleries to operate in the City of Rockville at their September 11 meeting at 7:00 PM. If approved, the change would allow full production of alcoholic beverages in light and heavy industrial zones, and in mixed-use employment zones.

Microbreweries and pub breweries with limited production would also be allowed to locate in mixed-use business, mixed-use transit district, mixed-use corridor district and mixed-use employment zones. To testify at the hearing, call (240) 314-8280 before 4:00 PM on September 11 to sign up.

The current law on the books prohibits breweries, wineries and distilleries from being located a certain distance from schools (i'm unsure of the distance) so I'm thinking it might be something around changing that. Given how dense the county is with schools, there are only a few pockets where you can place them which is why we don't have very many.